Chief Superintendent Mark Travis said the boy is recovering at home with his family, who are being supported by specialist officers.

He told Sky News: ‘A young family were out shopping and a substance appears to either have been thrown or sprayed towards a three-year-old child who was in a pushchair.’

He added: ‘We are uncertain about the long-term implications of those burns, but we do hope that these won’t be life-changing injuries.’

Police have urged anyone with information to get in touch (SWNS)

The suspects, aged 22, 25 and 26, were detained in London on suspicion of conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm (SWNS)

Worcester City Council leader Marc Bayliss described the attack as ‘absolutely pure evil’.

Worcester MP Robin Walker said the attack was ‘horrific’, and that the ‘shock will be universal’.

Police are continuing to appeal for information over the incident at Home Bargains in Tallow Hill.

The boy has been discharged from hospital following the incident (PA)

Detective Inspector Tony Garner said: ‘We’d like to thank everyone who shared our appeal over the weekend and contacted us with information; all of this is helping us to build up a better picture of this incident.